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ACM Maintains Positive Outlook as CEO Taps Out Amid Digital Growth

· 3 min read · Verified by 3 sources · By HR & Workforce Intelligence Brief Editorial
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Key Takeaways

  • Australian Community Media (ACM) has confirmed the departure of its CEO during a period of robust financial performance.
  • Despite the leadership change, the group remains upbeat about its 2026 strategic roadmap and regional media dominance.

Mentioned

Australian Community Media (ACM) company Antony Catalano person Alex Waislitz person View.com.au product

Key Intelligence

Key Facts

  1. 1CEO departure announced on February 24, 2026, amid a positive financial outlook.
  2. 2ACM operates over 140 regional and rural news titles across Australia.
  3. 3The group has seen significant growth in digital subscriptions and its 'View' real estate platform.
  4. 4Executive Chairman Antony Catalano will lead the search for a successor.
  5. 5The departure is described as a 'tapping out,' suggesting a voluntary or planned exit.
  6. 6ACM remains the largest independent regional media group in Australia.
Industry Outlook for ACM

Analysis

The announcement that the CEO of Australian Community Media (ACM) is "tapping out" marks a significant leadership transition for the country's largest regional media group. Coming at a time when the company describes its outlook as "upbeat," the departure suggests a planned exit rather than a reaction to operational distress. For a sector that has been defined by consolidation and cost-cutting over the last decade, ACM’s current confidence signals a successful pivot toward digital sustainability and diversified revenue streams.

The upbeat sentiment reported across ACM’s regional titles—including The Advocate and Port News—is likely rooted in the group's aggressive digital transformation. Since its 2019 acquisition from Nine Entertainment by Antony Catalano and Alex Waislitz, ACM has moved away from a pure-play print model. The company has invested heavily in its digital subscription engine and its real estate platform, View.com.au, which has become a central pillar of its growth strategy. By integrating regional news with high-margin classifieds and property listings, ACM has managed to insulate itself from the worst of the advertising downturn that has plagued metropolitan competitors.

Since its 2019 acquisition from Nine Entertainment by Antony Catalano and Alex Waislitz, ACM has moved away from a pure-play print model.

From an HR and workforce perspective, a CEO departure during a high-growth phase presents both opportunities and risks. On one hand, it allows for a refresh of the executive suite without the pressure of a turnaround mandate. The outgoing leadership leaves behind a stabilized organization with a clear digital mandate. On the other hand, the transition period can create uncertainty within regional newsrooms, which have already endured years of structural change. Maintaining morale among journalists and local staff will be a primary challenge for the incoming leadership, especially as the group continues to balance its digital ambitions with its commitment to local, community-focused reporting.

What to Watch

Industry analysts will be watching closely to see if the next CEO is an internal promotion or an external hire from the tech or digital media sectors. An internal hire would signal continuity and a steady-as-she-goes approach, while an external candidate might indicate a further shift toward becoming a technology-led media company. The involvement of Executive Chairman Antony Catalano remains a constant, providing a level of strategic stability that is often missing during such transitions. Catalano’s vision has been the driving force behind ACM’s independence, and his continued presence suggests that the core strategy—local news backed by national digital platforms—will remain unchanged.

Looking ahead, the upbeat tone of this announcement serves as a strategic signal to the broader market. It positions ACM not as a legacy media company in decline, but as a modern, resilient entity capable of navigating the complexities of the 2026 media landscape. The focus for the remainder of the year will be on the search for a successor who can scale the View platform while protecting the editorial integrity of the group’s 140 regional titles. For the workforce, the message is clear: the foundation is solid, and the leadership change is a milestone, not a crisis.

Timeline

Timeline

  1. Acquisition

  2. Digital Pivot

  3. Diversification

  4. CEO Departure

Sources

Sources

Based on 3 source articles

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